FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Because NCAA Football 14 has an AI generated simulator mode, it’s possible for the game to spit out a mathematical simulation of any game that will take place this fall.
It was a foregone conclusion that at some point at least one simulated Arkansas game would make its way online and that’s exactly what happened. Fortunately for fans, the first to pop up in the allHogs YouTube algorithm is a simulation of what has been deemed the most pivotal game of the season – the Week 2 trip to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State.
There’s good news all around for the Hogs’ faithful. The graphics and commentary are done well enough that the inclusion of actual current players makes it possible to eventually get lost in it and trick the mind into believing you’re watching an actual game.
This makes for good entertainment. As for the outcome, no spoilers, but the game can be watched at the bottom of this story and it’s definitely one Razorbacks fans will enjoy as a preview for what they might can expect this fall.
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With that said, here are a few observations:
• It doesn’t take long to understand the guys at EA Sports think highly of new Arkansas running back Ja’Quinden Jackson. He is dominant pretty much the entire game behind a much-improved offensive line. They value him so much that, early on, Razorbacks fans are going to wonder where the Bobby Petrino offense went. There’s lots of running complete with what appears to be a Power I with a fullback at times.
• As for Oklahoma State, Ollie Gordon gets the starting nod, but it’s former Hogs running back AJ Green who proves to be the more effective back. However, Green won’t be taking snaps against his old team as he is out for at least the first several months of the season with an injury.
• Even video game companies aren’t immune to the transfer portal. There are a few Arkansas players featured in this simulated game who are no longer on the team. The first people will notice is Max Fletcher, the former kicker who has since transferred to Cincinnati after losing the starting job. Dominique Johnson also makes a brief appearance despite being at TCU now.
• There were a lot of people who agreed to have their likeness to be shown on the game, but Sam Pittman apparently wasn’t one. Instead, the Hogs are coached by a man who looks like the love child of 1990s Houston Nutt and Bret Bielema.
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• Taylen Green takes an awful long time to complete his first pass, but once he does, he really gets rolling and his ability to run is a huge factor. Tyrone Broden and Andrew Armstrong become big targets with Isaiah Sategna sprinkling in big impact plays. The one thing that appears to be missing for the longest time is the tight end, although Luke Hasz does eventually make a catch well into the game.
• Perhaps the two most impressive aspects of the game are the lack of penalties and how dominant the defense is despite Landon Jackson not having a huge game. Instead, Brad Spence, Xavian Sorey and Hudson Clark carry that side of the ball, frustrating Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman.
HOGS FEED:
• Watch: Dinner with John Calipari
• Pittman gives thoughts on his expectations for Hogs’ QB Taylen Green
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• Get to know Greenwood offensive lineman Cody Taylor, who’s rising fast in rankings
• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube • Follow allHOGS on Xand Facebook
Arkansas football has extended an offer to a 2028 in-state prospect.
Running back Kentz Brown, 6-0 and 210 pounds, of Dumas received the offer from running backs coach Kolby Smith on Tuesday.
“Pure excitement,” Brown said of his reaction to the offer. “I was home watching football with my family. It’s a great way to close out the year and welcome the new year. Coach Kolby Smith asked that I call and my family was able to witness the conversation. I grew up watching the Razorbacks and always dreamed of the opportunity. I’m extremely grateful and overwhelmed with joy about this opportunity.”
He is the half-brother of former Dumas and UNLV running back Kylin James. He previously received offers from Ole Miss and Central Arkansas.
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In five games with the freshman team, Brown rushed for 1,179 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He is the first 2028 in-state prospect to receive an offer from Arkansas.
The 2025 NBA Draft class is shaping up be one of the best in years, led largely by its crop of talented guards.
One that flew under the radar prior to the season, but is beginning to make waves, is Arkansas’ Boogie Fland. At a slightly-undersized 6-foot-2, he may very well be the most complete true point guard in the class at the moment, showing scoring prowess, elite passing and plenty of defensive potential.
In a 30-point blowout of Oakland Monday, Fland was again spectacular, adding a team-high 22 points, six assists to zero turnovers and two rebounds. He didn’t see a block or steal, but was able to shoot a blistering 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, in addition to efficiency within it. It seems all season the freshman guard has been able to help Arkansas to wins, a rare trait for a college newcomer, even a four-star.
On the season, he’s added 15.3 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Razorbacks. Even those who knew of Fland’s talent going into the season likely weren’t expecting lottery-level numbers, but that’s exactly what he’s put up thus far. His near-3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio has especially been eye-catching.
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While lead guards aren’t in high demand in the NBA at the moment, Fland is making a great case for team’s to draft him in the late-lottery if they’re in need of a steady ball handler.
Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.
FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks (11-2, 0-0 SEC) notched a 92-62 win over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (4-10, 1-2 Horizon) on Monday night in their final tuneup before conference play starts.
Coming out of an extended break after the Christmas holiday, Arkansas looked sluggish and disjointed in the first half. The Hogs turned the ball over nine times in the first 20 minutes and they gave up 30 points in the paint to the Golden Grizzlies.
As the Razorbacks have done many times this season, they pulled away in the second half. A big part of that was the play of Boogie Fland, who scored just one point in the first but exploded for 23 in the second.
Arkansas also got a full-scale effort from Adou Thiero, who had 20 points in the game and tacked on six assists, six rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
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The non conference slate has now come to a close and the gauntlet of the Southeastern Conference schedule starts Saturday against No. 1 Tennessee. Here’s some of HawgBeat’s takeaways from Monday’s win…
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